Malta Freeport in new round-the-world service

A new round-the-world service by the world's leading shipping companies is to include Malta Freeport, giving local industry unprecedented connections to ports all over the world.

Through this new venture, the Freeport will see its connection to 104 ports extended to 121. The service would generate additional traffic of 40,000 containers each year.

The round-the-world service is operated by P&O Nedlloyd, Contship Container Lines, CMA-CGM Group, Hapag Lloyd Container Line, Hamburg Sud and Marfret Compagnie Maritime.

The corporation said: "The Freeport was invited to submit its offer for this service, together with various other competing ports in the Mediterranean. Among the main reasons why the Maltese port was chosen was that the main carriers operating the round-the-world service already have other services calling at the Freeport."

The Freeport said the shipping lines would be able to make efficient use of their present network connections at Malta Freeport.

"Never has local industry had such efficient connections to so many ports on a regular basis. This is a major advantage for local industrialists which enhances their competitive edge."

The Freeport said the new service would enable Maltese importers and exporters to reach various ports in Australia and New Zealand directly without having to send cargo to other ports. The service would increase opportunities for Maltese businessmen seeking to organise their own niche services.

The new round-the-world loops will replace five services which until now have served the Australia-Asian trade routes.

The operators will deploy 12 vessels on this route which takes in Tilbury, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Dunkerque, Le Havre, New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Kingston, Manzanillo, Papeete, Auckland, Noumea, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, Jakarta, Singapore, Colombo, Jeddah, Port Said, Damietta, Malta Freeport, La Spezia and Marseille.

"Our port is at present handling over 1.2 million containers each year and its renowned reputation worldwide is enabling it to secure additional business," Malta Freeport said.